Real-time three-dimensional echocardiography of left atrial volume and function in patients with severe multi-vessel coronary artery disease

Purpose To evaluate the changes in left atrial (LA) volume and function in patients with severe multi-vessel coronary artery disease (CAD) by real-time three-dimensional echocardiography (RT-3DE). Methods One hundred and eight subjects were stratified based on coronary angiography (CAG) imaging, comprising 48 patients with severe multi-vessel CAD, 31 patients with severe single-vessel CAD, and 29 controls. RT-3DE was performed in all groups. LA volume parameters were measured. LA ejection fractions (EF) and LA function index (LAFI) were also calculated. Results There were no significant differences between the single-vessel CAD group and the control group, while LA passive emptying fraction (LAVpEF) was significantly reduced in the single-vessel CAD group. In the multi-vessel CAD group, LAVpEF and LAFI were lower, while LA presystolic volume (LAVpre) was prominently higher as compared with the other groups, and LA active emptying volume (LAVa) was higher than that in the control group ( p